Niger lobby protests over mining firm

A Niger lobby group has vowed to commence squatting in front of the Niamey headquarters of the French mining giant, Areva, to protest against the conditions under which it carries out its uranium exploitation in northern Niger.

The group says it will not be dissuaded from its campaign despite last month’s military coup that overthrew President Mamadou Tandja, and which has been generally supported by the population.

The group, branding itself “Areva does not make laws in Niger” accuses the French outfit of wilful contamination through persistent exposure to highly radioactive material, which it says has killed an unspecified number of employees and residents living near the company’s mining sites.

Negligence

For years, the movement has complained to the governments of Niger and France about the alleged negligence of Areva, whose mining activities have been linked to increased cancer cases and deaths in Niger.

The group accuses the firm of “deliberately” concealing the risks. Niger’s uranium is mostly exported to France and lately to South Korea.